In Saudi Arabia, the role of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) carries significant authority — and with it, personal legal responsibility. While companies enjoy separate legal personality, Saudi law allows courts and regulators to hold CEOs personally liable in specific circumstances.
Understanding these risks is essential for executives, founders, and board members operating in the Kingdom.
As a general principle, a CEO is not personally liable for the company’s obligations.
The company, as a separate legal entity, bears responsibility for debts and liabilities.
However, this protection is not absolute. Saudi law recognizes several exceptions where a CEO may face civil, regulatory, or criminal liability.
CEOs owe statutory duties, including:
Acting in the best interest of the company
Exercising due care and diligence
Complying with Saudi Companies Law and bylaws
Implementing board resolutions lawfully
A breach of these duties may result in personal liability for damages caused to the company, shareholders, or third parties.
A CEO may be personally liable when:
Approving unlawful or high-risk transactions
Concealing financial losses or material risks
Continuing operations while insolvent
Failing to supervise key business functions
Saudi courts increasingly evaluate executive decision-making, particularly where creditors or investors suffer harm.
CEOs may face liability for violations involving:
Labor Law non-compliance
Zakat, tax, and VAT violations
Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) breaches
AML and anti-corruption failures
In certain cases, regulators may impose personal fines, bans from management positions, or criminal penalties.
A CEO may be personally liable if actions involve:
Unlawful termination or discriminatory practices
Abuse of authority
Fraud or misrepresentation
Personal guarantees or commitments
Personal involvement removes the shield of corporate protection.
Saudi courts may pierce the corporate veil where the CEO:
Uses the company for personal benefit
Mixes personal and company funds
Treats the company as a mere instrument
Acts in bad faith to evade obligations
This exposes the CEO’s personal assets to claims.
Certain acts may lead to criminal liability, including:
Falsifying company records
Misleading regulators or investors
Obstructing regulatory investigations
Insider abuse or corruption
Criminal exposure significantly increases in regulated sectors.
Effective risk mitigation includes:
Clear delegation of authority
Documented decision-making
Compliance programs and audits
Legal review of major transactions
Avoiding personal guarantees
Proper corporate governance structures
Proactive legal advice is a key protective measure.
CEO liability:
Impacts personal assets and reputation
Affects investor confidence
Influences board governance and oversight
Determines long-term corporate stability
Ignoring these risks can lead to severe personal and professional consequences.
Are you a CEO or senior executive in Saudi Arabia?
📩 Contact our corporate legal team to:
Assess your personal liability exposure
Review executive authority and governance structures
Strengthen compliance and risk controls
Protect yourself — before liability becomes personal.